Quick Bites: Twisted Vines on Columbia Pike

Thanks for stopping by for a quick bite, my friends. This is a new feature I’ll run occasionally with food photos and descriptions, and perhaps even a recipe.

Our first Quick Bite was enjoyed at Twisted Vines, located at 2803 Columbia Pike in Arlington, Virginia. The owners, Sybil & Josh Robinson, invited me to a reception showcasing a variety of wines and scrumptious dishes from their newly acquired chef, Jessica Shields.

With each bite, I was wowed by the superb ingredients, complex flavors, and freshness in both the taste of the dishes as well as the creativity that went into making them.

Twisted Vines is what I call “upscale relaxed.” It has a cozy neighborhood feel and clean, simple decor. You don’t feel like you need to dress up to enjoy an evening out. At the same time, the food is on par with some of the so-called “fine dining” I’ve enjoyed around the Washington, D.C., area.

Check out these flavors:

Prince Edward Island Mussels with Lemongrass and Green Curry

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup

Hamachi Crudo

And the real show-stopper:

Bacon-Goat Cheese-Stuffed Figs Topped with Candied Jalapeño Pepper

The nice folks at Twisted Vines even sent us home with a jar of Carrot Cake Jam. My only complaint is that I didn’t get to take home an entire gallon of it. My gosh, it really *does* taste like carrot cake. It tasted absurdly delicious, as was the Rhubarb Beer Jam they served at the event.

Carrot Cake Jam on Stacey’s Homemade Challah

The wine was almost – ok, it actually was – secondary to the food that evening, but one standout was a sparkling little number called Jansz from Tasmania.

Jansz Tasmanian Premium Cuvee

Now that I’ve shared some Quick Bites with you, go to Twisted Vines and grab some yourself! Cheers!

DISCLOSURE: Twisted Vines did not compensate me for this post. The views expressed are mine and mine alone.